Middle school students pose with artwork
Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration that coincides with the independence days of many Latin American countries. It recognizes the achievements and cultural advancements of Hispanic Americans throughout history. In 1988, during the administration of President Ronald Reagan, the celebration expanded from a week to a month, and now extends from Sep. 15 to Oct. 15 each year.
This year, Malverne’s Howard T. Herber Middle School is hosting a range of events to teach its students about Hispanic culture and history. The first took place on Sep. 17, a kid-friendly Sip and Paint led by volunteer instructor Jennifer Martinez-Cruz, who is of Colombian descent. The drinks included Lime Jarritos, Pony Maltas and Colombiana Kola Sodas.
The students were encouraged to paint freely, and given an hour to do so before presenting their work. Martinez-Cruz expressed the importance of keeping Hispanic traditions alive, especially in educational settings. “I wanted to take advantage of the diversity of this school,” she said. “It means being able to celebrate each other’s different cultures, foods and people.”
The population of Hispanic students attending Herber is estimated at between 30 and 40 percent — much higher than the reported population of Hispanics living in Malverne, roughly 16 percent.
Last year, HTH students learned a traditional Colombian dance, Cumbia, to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. After receiving positive feedback from the students and their families, the school created some new events this year. Up next on their calendar were a Dominos game, scheduled for Tuesday, after the Herald went to press, a Name that Flag Competition on Oct. 1, and a Tapas cooking lesson on Oct 8.
These events will give the students a chance to become familiar with new aspects of the Hispanic culture that they may not have seen before. Nearly 100 children have signed up for all four activities this year.
PTA Co-presidents Charmaine Philips-Elleston and Hayley Kelch worked with Martinez-Cruz to develop the month’s itinerary. “One of things the school has been doing is making sure that any literature they’re sending out is available in English and Spanish for multicultural students,” Philips-Elleston said. “Some literature is inclusive of other languages as well. They’re really trying to make sure everyone is included and informed.”
The students who took part in the Sip and Paint painted everything from flowers to beaches to sunsets while enjoying their drinks, and were not at all distracted by the presence of a reporter. There was an overall feeling of inclusivity, of celebrating their differences and embracing new experiences, which is an overarching theme at the middle school.
